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LCDR John McCain’s A-4E Skyhawk

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
LCDR John McCain’s A-4E Skyhawk
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:13 PM

Just completed this little 1/48 Scooter as Senator McCain's A4 from VA-46 Clansmen aboard the USS Forrestal in June of 1967. I believe it got torched a month later while sitting on the flight deck during the huge Forrestal fire that killed 134 men.

This is a comission and the customer wanted just a tad of weathereing so she is fairly clean. This is the old Monogram Scooter and was a very enjoyable build. I added a pair of low dragsters on the outer mounts otherwise it's all OOB. All comments welcomed.

 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:22 PM

What the heck is wrong with this site? I have fixed the title 3 times getting rid of the numbers and symbols on the tittle and they came back again.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:33 PM

Title looks normal here.

The A-4 is right smart.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:40 PM

I saw some of the film of the accident.  His aircraft was on the port side and there was a accident on the other side that sent 3 or 5" rockets screaming across  to his side.  He had to climb out on the refueling probe and drop off to avoid the fire.

Carriers would have accidents like this every so often.  Two people from my high school were on the Enterprise when their accident happened.  One stayed with the ship and the other one transferred into subs.

While I was on land at my base, my future brother in law was on the Constellation on Yankee Station.  They had to do a double tour because their releif cdarrier caught fire.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:52 PM

jeaton01

Title looks normal here.

The A-4 is right smart.

 

looks ok now John but 3 times the tittle went screwy and fixed it each time but went screwy after a couple of minutes. Weird indeed.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:54 PM

PJ,

Very well done scooter! I really like the markings, and that 'ol Monogram did build up very nicely. Great job!

The title looks fine to me too. I believe when you add special characters, like an apostrophe, the site gets a bit flaky. 

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:56 PM

ikar01

I saw some of the film of the accident.  His aircraft was on the port side and there was a accident on the other side that sent 3 or 5" rockets screaming across  to his side.  He had to climb out on the refueling probe and drop off to avoid the fire.

Carriers would have accidents like this every so often.  Two people from my high school were on the Enterprise when their accident happened.  One stayed with the ship and the other one transferred into subs.

While I was on land at my base, my future brother in law was on the Constellation on Yankee Station.  They had to do a double tour because their releif cdarrier caught fire.

 

Yea it was determined to be an electrical short that fired a Zuni rocket on a F4B and  flew across the flight deck and BAAAM!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:58 PM

Hey thanks Bruce. Yea thought about the special characters in the tittle May have caused a stroke on the system lol.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2019
  • From: Central Oregon
Posted by HooYah Deep Sea on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 9:20 PM

Nice job, OOB or not. It's nice to see the slats down like they're supposed to be, you'd be amazed at how many models of A4's and TA4's don't build that way. And by the way, it should be LCDR, not LTCDR, just so you know.

"Why do I do this? Because the money's good, the scenery changes and they let me use explosives, okay?"

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 9:38 PM

HooYah Deep Sea

Nice job, OOB or not. It's nice to see the slats down like they're supposed to be, you'd be amazed at how many models of A4's and TA4's don't build that way. And by the way, it should be LCDR, not LTCDR, just so you know.

 

Thanks for your input. Tittle was corrected too. 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:46 AM

You sure did a nice job on the Skyhawk, PJ. Yes

I'm developing an interest in these 50's/60's era jets, and when I think of a Skyhawk it's Cessna 172 that comes to my mind. I really like the looks of your A-4, thanks for piquing my interest.

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:56 AM

Nice job on the A4 .

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 9:47 AM

Very sharp build.  I saw a documentary on the incident. Pretty dramatic watching him hop off the refueling probe.

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11:24 AM

Thanks Crown and John.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11:29 AM

Greg

You sure did a nice job on the Skyhawk, PJ. Yes

I'm developing an interest in these 50's/60's era jets, and when I think of a Skyhawk it's Cessna 172 that comes to my mind. I really like the looks of your A-4, thanks for piquing my interest.

 

 

Thanks for looking and posting Greg. Yea I think the early jets are really cool. I have a 1/48 Kitty Hawk Banshee, F-94 and TF-9J Cougar in the stash along with the fantastic Monogram Panther and gorgeous Revell F-89D. Too many to name in the stash. 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 1:17 PM

Nice job PJ!

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 4:37 PM

lewbud

Nice job PJ!

 

Thanks!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 4:37 PM

PlasticJunkie, that's a great job on your scooter. Nice markings.

Even though I'm currently suffering from "jet fatigue", I always love the look of the early jets, the A-4 included.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 5:07 PM

ikar01

I saw some of the film of the accident.  His aircraft was on the port side and there was a accident on the other side that sent 3 or 5" rockets screaming across  to his side.  He had to climb out on the refueling probe and drop off to avoid the fire.

Carriers would have accidents like this every so often.  Two people from my high school were on the Enterprise when their accident happened.  One stayed with the ship and the other one transferred into subs.

While I was on land at my base, my future brother in law was on the Constellation on Yankee Station.  They had to do a double tour because their releif cdarrier caught fire.

 

Ive only heard of three carrier fires related to the Vietnam War: in chronological order they are USS Oriskany, USS Forrestal, and USS Enterprise, with Forrestal having the worst one. Enterprise had hers after the Forrestal Fire, during work ups off of Hawaii prior to entering the war zone, and it was also caused by a Zuni rocket misfire. Forrestal and Oriskany were already on the line in the Tonkin Gulf when their fires occurred.

 

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/3-aircraft-carrier-fires-1960.html

 

 

Very nice Skyhawk build, BTW. Yes

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 5:20 PM

That's a beautiful A-4!

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    June 2017
Posted by Chemteacher on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:22 PM
Great job on the scooter.

On the bench: Revell-USS Arizona; Airfix P-51D in 1/72

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:45 PM

Aggieman

PlasticJunkie, that's a great job on your scooter. Nice markings.

Even though I'm currently suffering from "jet fatigue", I always love the look of the early jets, the A-4 included.

 

Thanks Aggie. Yea me too so I'm switching to armor for now.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:46 PM

stikpusher

 

 
ikar01

I saw some of the film of the accident.  His aircraft was on the port side and there was a accident on the other side that sent 3 or 5" rockets screaming across  to his side.  He had to climb out on the refueling probe and drop off to avoid the fire.

Carriers would have accidents like this every so often.  Two people from my high school were on the Enterprise when their accident happened.  One stayed with the ship and the other one transferred into subs.

While I was on land at my base, my future brother in law was on the Constellation on Yankee Station.  They had to do a double tour because their releif cdarrier caught fire.

 

 

 

Ive only heard of three carrier fires related to the Vietnam War: in chronological order they are USS Oriskany, USS Forrestal, and USS Enterprise, with Forrestal having the worst one. Enterprise had hers after the Forrestal Fire, during work ups off of Hawaii prior to entering the war zone, and it was also caused by a Zuni rocket misfire. Forrestal and Oriskany were already on the line in the Tonkin Gulf when their fires occurred.

 

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/3-aircraft-carrier-fires-1960.html

 

 

Very nice Skyhawk build, BTW. Yes

 

Thanks stik. Can't go wrong with the old Monograms.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:47 PM

Hey thanks Chad and teacher. Glad you like how the Scooter came out.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    March 2003
Posted by rangerj on Saturday, May 30, 2020 10:41 AM

I'm a big fan of the Douglas AD-4 (sic) and that kit was and still is a great kit. You did a super job on the build. Before Monogram released that kit in the 1970s the only other "decent" kit was the old Lindberg kit of the A-4 prototype. One of the rockets went through the fuel tank on the left wing of the aircraft next to McCain's A-4 and set the fuel on fire. McCain got out of his aircraft and helped the pilot get out of the burning aircraft. I was lucky enough to meet John McCain and got his autograph on a picture of him AND on a picture of the A-4 he was shot down in. The aircraft was assigned to another pilot and in the picture it was turning in with another A-4 on a bombing run over North Viet Nam. McCain was not flying it at that time. He did not know this picture exsisted and asked for a copy of it. He signed it. We had a great conversation and I later got a wonderful letter from him. Your A-4 is a nice tribute to John McCain, Well Done.   

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, May 30, 2020 12:23 PM

Thanks ranger. That is a really cool story and you are lucky you got to talk to him. I have respect for the man and what he endured while at the "Hilton".

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, May 30, 2020 12:46 PM

Hi:

 Hey I started my 1/72 version one. I have always said if you've seen one Scooter you have seen them all. WRONG. Nice job man!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, May 30, 2020 2:42 PM

Thanks TB, glad you like how the Scooter came out.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Saturday, May 30, 2020 8:31 PM

"They've gone to plaid!'. I've never seen plaid striping before, very cool!. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, May 30, 2020 8:47 PM

lawdog114

"They've gone to plaid!'. I've never seen plaid striping before, very cool!. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yes, VA-46 continued the tartan stripes onto their A-7s...

 

and once they went to low vis schemes they kept it on their flight helmets

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

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